TL;DR
Bomberman R recaptures the classic multiplayer fun of the beloved series, especially with a full house of 8 players and their Joy-Cons. While the core gameplay is as explosive and chaotic as ever, the single-player story mode and boss battles offer some initial entertainment. However, the game's high price point for its familiar mechanics and the disappointing lag in online play make it a tough recommendation at full cost. A recent patch boosts frame rates to a smooth 60fps, but this comes with a resolution dip. If you're a die-hard Bomberman fan looking for local multiplayer action, it's a blast, but waiting for a sale is advised. Dive into the full review to see if Bomberman R's explosive charm is worth the investment!
Note: This review is excerpted from a larger article.
Bomberman stands as a genuine classic, a title that delivered a significant success for then-developer Hudson Soft (now under Konami’s ownership) during the Super Nintendo era (1993). Now, several sequels later (marking this as the 33rd installment!), Super Bomberman R largely preserves its multiplayer appeal. Engaging in gameplay with two or more players is highly enjoyable, and we recommend gathering a group of friends – ideally the maximum of eight, each with their own Joy-Cons – to experience intense and engaging deathmatches filled with explosive action and close calls.
Bomberman R is best experienced with friends for maximum enjoyment.
Super Bomberman R includes a single-player mode and a story campaign, featuring boss encounters. While entertaining, at least initially, Bomberman has never looked graphically superior on any console. However, the price point exceeding 500 SEK for a game fundamentally similar to its predecessors of nearly 25 years ago is a considerable ask. A price range of 250-300 SEK would be more justifiable for a fun multiplayer experience. Unfortunately, Super Bomberman R lacks sufficient new content to warrant the current price. The persistently slow online mode further detracts from the overall value. We advise purchasing it when the price is reduced.
Update patch version 1.3: With the implementation of this patch, Super Bomberman R now supports 60fps on the Switch, a long-awaited improvement that enhances the game’s fluidity. However, this increased frame rate comes at the cost of reduced resolution, a change noticeable on larger screens. While we generally consider 60fps preferable to a slightly higher resolution, the relative simplicity of Super Bomberman R in terms of gameplay depth and graphical complexity does prompt questions about the Switch’s processing capabilities.
